Chapter 6 An Episode

Twilight Villa was tucked away in a remote corner—definitely not the kind of place a mafia boss would call home. The Somerville family had investigated the property, but all they'd discovered was that an old woman lived there year-round, and two vicious wolves were kept in the backyard. As for anything on the mafia boss himself, they'd found nothing. Hazel's greatest wish was for her two daughters to marry into one of Hepham's other political families. The idea of marrying into the mafia felt like sentencing them to a lifetime of misery. When she unearthed rumors about the current mafia boss, Hazel had been both enraged and terrified. No way would she hand over the daughter she'd raised so carefully to a monster. Yet Clifford feared retaliation. The Somervilles had to show they were serious about an alliance by offering one of their daughters in marriage to the mafia boss. Hazel wasn't going to let it be one of hers. That was when she thought of Minerva. So she brought the girl back and arranged for her to marry the terrifying man instead. To Minerva, the man before her couldn't possibly be a good person. Even someone as obsessed with status as Hazel feared him. But now, Minerva found herself confused. The man exuded dominance. Every movement, every glance carried a cold, elegant arrogance, like a king born to command. Rather than saying this man was terrifying, it would be more accurate to say he commanded a heightened sense of awe. Minerva opened her mouth to speak, but just then the man braced both hands on the table. His eyes narrowed, and pain twisted his expression. Francis blanched and immediately said, “Sir, I'll call the doctor immediately!” Minerva's clear gaze dropped to his hands. Veins bulged across the backs of them, pulsing violently, classic signs of a sudden episode. Is he sick? And not just sick. He's seriously sick. Just then, Minerva met his bloodshot eyes. Within them, she could see a world of pain and suppressed rage. Zevan turned his head toward her and barked, “Get out! Now!” Visibly distressed, Francis added quickly, “Mrs. Lemieux, you should go!” Go? Go where? Minerva knew she couldn't leave. She had returned to the Somerville family for a reason. Her identity as the mafia boss's wife was her key weapon against the Somerville family, a role she absolutely couldn't afford to lose. Not only could she not afford to lose it, but she also had to gain the trust of the mafia boss. It was the perfect opportunity to gain his trust now. Minerva took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. She reminded herself that all she had to do was treat the mafia boss standing in front of her like a deranged patient in the middle of a manic episode. Her eyes were bright and unwavering as she looked straight at Zevan. There wasn't the slightest hint of hesitation. “I studied under a doctor in the countryside. I can treat you.” Zevan's thin lips tightened into a cold, sharp line. He growled, “Get out!” His voice was low and laced with menace, as if he would lose all control and turn into a savage beast the moment Minerva uttered one more word. Instead of backing down, Minerva bravely faced his anger and threats, steadily advancing toward him. She was afraid, too. Every step she took echoed with the sound of her heartbeat, but her gaze never wavered. “Your brow is constantly furrowed. Your eyes are bloodshot, and the dark circles under them are heavy. If I'm not mistaken, you have a severe sleep disorder. You can't sleep through the night.” Minerva laid out his condition, keeping her voice as steady as she could, but the slight tremble at the end betrayed the tension she was holding inside. After all, she was standing in front of a ruthless mafia boss who wouldn't hesitate to pull a gun the moment things went south. Francis stared at Minerva in shock. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but the words seemed to get stuck in his throat. Minerva kept her eyes fixed on Zevan's handsome face, now contorted slightly by pain, and went on, “If my observations are right, you're suffering from severe insomnia. Your body is constantly exhausted, but no matter how tired you are, you just can't sleep. It's wrecking your mental state. You've become gloomy, irritable, and at times you're even experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations.” “D*mn it!” Zevan hadn't expected her to be this sharp. Just from a few glances, she'd already diagnosed his condition. A wave of suspicion rose in Zevan's heart. He couldn't shake the feeling that Minerva had investigated him long before this. How else could she know something so private, and well hidden? This was definitely not a good thing! He was certain she was no ordinary figure.